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VOLUME 9 ISSUE 1
©2012 IHMC
F LO R I DA I N S T I T U T E F O R H U M A N & M AC H I N E CO G N I T I O N
76People in the News
Ford named to U.S.
Defense Science Board
Director’s Letter
Researchers’ Profi les
Recent Lectures
2
4
12
3Featured News
Biologically Inspired
Robots
Happenings
IHMC hosts Human-
Machine Trust Workshop
Dear friends:
As this issue of the newsletter illuminates, robotics is a
growing and increasingly important part of the research
at IHMC. Led by Jerry Pratt and Peter Neuhaus in our
Pensacola facility, IHMC scientists are doing exciting and
important research into the ability of bipedal robots to
stand and walk independently, even on uneven ground,
if pushed by someone or something, or in a cluttered
environment. While that might be easy for you and me, it is
not for a two-legged robot. So research like ours will help make robots more useful and valuable.
This research is also leading to development of robotic exoskeletons that show great promise
for helping people in wheelchairs to walk again, or for soldiers or workers to carry heavy loads or
quickly walk and swim great distances.
It seems appropriate, as the Robotics Lab in Pensacola expands into new space and new
research, to see in it a refl ection of how a research institute like IHMC grows and evolves.
Peter and Jerry are not just scientists at the top of their fi eld; they are also mentors doing important
work in helping to bring along newer researchers and scientists now entering the burgeoning
fi eld of robotics.
IHMC’s mission itself should focus on more than simply pushing the boundaries of research in
a fi eld such as robotics; it must support expanding the horizons of the men and women doing the
pushing. That’s how research builds upon itself in new and exciting ways.
We hope this newsletter will expand your horizons on the possibilities inherent in advanced
research on robotics, and that you will visit our robotics lab during the next open house.
Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition
A University Affi liated Research Institute
Best Wishes,
Kenneth M. Ford, Director
Mr. Dick BakerResidential developmentcompanies
Ms. Carol H. CarlanCarlan Consulting, LLC
General Charles HornerUS Air Force, Ret.
Dr. Bill DaltonMoffi tt Cancer Center
Mr. Ron EwersEwers Consulting
Mr. Eugene FranklinFlorida Black Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Charles C. “Chris” Hart Workforce Florida, Inc.
Mr. Hal HudsonHudsco, Inc.
Mr. Eric Nickelsen John S. Carr & Co
Mr. Hector “Tico” PerezEdge Public Affairs, LLC
Mr. Jim ReevesReeves and Davis
Mr. Ray RussenbergerMarina Management Co.
Mr. Gordon SpragueEntrepreneur
Mr. Glenn SturmNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLC
Dr. Hal WhiteUniversity of West Florida
IHMC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Page 3
Most humans learn to use their
legs—walk, run, jump, skip—at an
early age. But even advanced humanoid
robots remain slow, are not very good
at recovering from disturbances,
and have trouble getting over
uneven ground or around obstacles.
Unfortunately, there are also many
people who have diffi culty walking.
Researchers at IHMC are investigating
the fundamentals of walking and
running on two legs, and developing
new bipedal robots and exoskeletons.
Th at will mean better robots—and
improved mobility for impaired
humans.
M2V2, a walking bipedal robot built
by IHMC researchers, incorporates
natural design elements to take
advantage of the inherent dynamics
of human legs. Researchers have
developed control algorithms to
increase the stability of the robot in
a challenging environment.
One of the innovations is the
concept of capturability. IHMC
researchers studied walking people to
analyze how they recover from pushes
and other disturbances. As the force
of the push increases, the human steps
farther away to regain balance. IHMC
researchers termed the area that long
step traverses “the capture region” and
developed mathematical models to
determine appropriate push-recovery
responses. Using these new models in
the robot algorithms has increased the
ability of the robot to remain upright
despite even large pushes.
Because walking and push recovery
come so naturally to us, our built
environment is designed for bipedal
walking. Unfortunately, people
confi ned to a wheelchair or crutches
repeatedly encounter daunting
obstacles. To help them overcome these
obstacles, IHMC researchers have used
their knowledge of bipedal walking,
mechanical design and control to
build Mina, a robotic exoskeleton for
paralyzed people.
Recently the researchers tested their
fi rst prototype on two paraplegics.
After minimal training, the users were
able to walk across the room using the
Mina system, which includes two arm
braces. Notably, both individuals were
able to carry on a normal conversation
while walking, indicating that using the
exoskeleton does not require signifi cant
concentration. Additionally, they were
able to catch and throw balls while
upright, indicating that they can use
FEATURED NEWS
Biologically Inspired Robots
Fast Runner is a bipedal running robot that is being designed to run at more than 30 mph.
Page 4
their arms for other tasks while using the
exoskeleton. Ultimately, the enthusiastic
response by the users shows the success
of the exoskeleton and the potential for
this technology to enhance their lives.
IHMC researchers are continuing
to develop new prototypes and expect
to test an improved exoskeleton soon.
Future applications could include
rehabilitation for victims of stroke or
spinal cord injuries, or augmenting our
ability to carry heavy loads, quickly walk
or swim long distances or function in
complex environments.
While M2V2 and Mina are inspired
by humans, the IHMC FastRunner
robot is inspired by the ostrich, one of
the fastest and most effi cient two-legged
animals. Th e two-legged FastRunner is
being designed to run at 20-30 mph. Th e
IHMC researchers, in collaboration with
colleagues at MIT, are utilizing novel
mechanical design concepts to achieve
FEATURED NEWS
PROFILES Featured Researchers
Sebastien CottonHometown: Avignon, France.
Education: B.S. in mathematics
and computer science, University of
Avignon, France; M.S. in electrical
engineering and Ph.D. in robotics,
University of Montpellier, France.
Joined IHMC: 2010.
For his graduate work, Sebastien
studied the balance of the humanoid
structure for both humans and robotics.
He believes there is a large synergy
existing between robots and humans
that has not been fully exploited. As
such, IHMC is an ideal place for him to
investigate human-machine interactions
in detail. Sebastien is an example of
IHMC’s long reach in attracting robotics
researchers.
He is the project manager for
FastRunner, where he is focusing on
modeling and control aspects, including
developing a complete simulation
demonstrating the robot’s capacities.
He is proud of the group’s eff orts to
embed mechanical intelligence directly
into the leg design to reduce the
need for complex control algorithms.
Sebastien’s long-term plans include
developing intuitive interfaces for robot
teleoperation and creating transformer-
like robots.
He is enjoying life in Pensacola,
pursuing a variety of water sports, fi shing
and walking on the beautiful beaches.
Ionut OlaruHometown: Bucharest, Romania.
Education: BS in mechatronics and
industrial robotics, M.S. in quality
engineering and design, Ph.D. in
humanoid robots, Politehnica
University of Bucharest.
Joined IHMC: 2010.
Ionut has been attracted to science and
engineering since he was a kid, always
wondering how toys were made and
considering how they can be improved.
A desire to help people with
disabilities led him to mechanical
engineering where he has been
enthusiastic to design robotic
prosthetic devices. At IHMC he has
worked on both the M2V2 humanoid
robot and the Mina exoskeleton project.
He is leading the mechanical design
eff ort on FastRunner.
As a Ph.D. student, he pursued
research in the mechanical design of
humanoid robots. For his postdoctoral
research at the French National Center
of Scientifi c Research, he extended
his research to biologically inspired
robotics, mostly bipedal, focusing on
the mechanical design of the humanoid
robot SHERPA.
He has enjoyed working at the
IHMC robotics lab, where he has
pursued research in the most challenging
problems in robotics, which push him to
discover more.
■ ■ ■ During pilot
studies, the researchers
have developed several
prototype FastRunner legs
and have demonstrated
many of the benefi ts of the
design. The knowledge
gained from this effort
will inform the creation
of future robots that can
travel at high speeds while
remaining stable. ■ ■ ■
Page 5
the NASA Robonaut. Someday Robonaut
might explore other planets alongside
human astronauts.
While two-legged creatures are not
as common as those with four or more
legs, and even nature itself is challenged
to master the art of bipedal walking,
especially balance, there are distinct
advantages to walking on two legs.
By mastering the challenges, IHMC
researchers are helping develop robots
that can not just operate robustly in the
human environment themselves, but can
also better assist humans in navigating
this world—and other worlds awaiting
discovery.
FEATURED NEWS
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Education: B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in
mechanical engineering, UC San Diego.
Joined IHMC: 2011.
Chris has always enjoyed building
things, whether with Legos or unusual
contraptions like a vehicle made of
plywood and bicycle parts, powered by
a garage door spring. He was inspired
to go into robotics by the remarkably
dynamic legged robots that were
developed by IHMC’s Jerry Pratt and
others. For his graduate research he
designed, simulated and programmed
several robots which combined energy-
effi cient wheeled locomotion with agile
legged locomotion.
At IHMC he is involved in the
humanoid robot projects, including
Atlas and Robonaut. He is particularly
interested in how upper-body motions
can compensate for leg forces and
push recovery. He is enjoying living in
Pensacola with its aff ordable housing in
charming neighborhoods.
His hobbies include sailing,
windsurfi ng and kite surfi ng, which
make Pensacola’s pristine, uncrowded
beaches an asset.
Chris Schmidt-Wetekam
PROFILE
these speeds, which are twice as fast as the
fastest bipedal robot to date. For example,
it will use natural dynamics to retract
the legs as they swing forward, allowing
the robot to traverse moderate terrain.
During pilot studies, the researchers
developed several prototype legs and
demonstrated many benefi ts of the
design. Th is knowledge will shape future
robots that can travel at high speeds while
remaining stable.
In many hazardous environments,
using robots instead of, or in addition to,
people makes sense. Such environments
could include search and rescue, combat
and space exploration. And for human
controllers, operating a humanoid robot
might be more natural than using other
robots since it would function like a
human. Towards those ends, IHMC
is working with NASA Johnson Space
Center to develop walking algorithms for
The biologically inspired robots team: T. Koolen, M. Fortenberry, D. Duran, M. Johnson, J. Pratt,
J. Carff, T. Craig, J. Godowski, J. Taylor, J. Coffi eld, S. Cotton, M. Bellman,D. Stephen, I. Olaru,
P. Neuhaus Seated: J. Noorden, B. Layton
■ ■ ■ Someday
Robonaut might explore
other planets alongside
human astronauts. ■ ■ ■
Page 6
FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN & MACHINE COGNITION
■ ■ ■
Retired Air Force Gen. Lester L. Lyles,
vice chair of the Defense Science Board,
said that “leadership in defense requires a
constant infusion of new ideas and access
to state of the art knowledge on scientifi c
and technical matters.”
He said “Ken Ford brings those desired
qualities to this board.”
Dr. Ford has served on a number of
top national boards and commissions,
including the National Science Board,
Air Force Science Advisory Board, and
NASA Advisory Council, which he
most recently served as chair. In 2010,
he was awarded NASA’s Distinguished
Public Service Medal—the agency’s
highest honor. Dr. Ford is a Fellow of
the Association for the Advancement of
Artifi cial Intelligence (AAAI), a member
of the Association for Computing
Machinery (ACM), and a member of the
IEEE Computer Society.
PEOPLE IN THE NEWSNEWS OF IHMC
Ford named to
U.S. Defense
Science BoardIHMC Director/CEO Ken Ford has
been named to the prestigious Defense
Science Board by the U.S. Department
of Defense. Th e board reports directly to
the Secretary of Defense.
Th e 32-member board is comprised
of nationally recognized leaders and
experts selected for their preeminence
in the fi elds of science, technology and
its application to military operations,
research, engineering, manufacturing and
the acquisition process.
Th e Defense Science Board was
established in 1956 as a standing
committee to advise top Pentagon
offi cials on the “needs and opportunities
presented by new scientifi c knowledge
for radically new weapons systems.” Over
time, the board has expanded its purview
to also develop and strengthen the DoD’s
research and development strategies for
the 21st century.
■ ■ ■ The Defense
Science Board was
established in 1956 as a
standing committee that
advises top Pentagon
offi cials on the “needs and
opportunities presented by
new scientifi c knowledge
for radically new weapons
systems.” ■ ■ ■
S
Page 7
FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN & MACHINE COGNITION
■ ■ ■
IHMC Ocala celebrates
LEED gold certifi cationIHMC Ocala hosted an event
honoring recognition of the new Ocala
facility as a LEED Gold project. Th is
designation recognizes the eff orts of
IHMC and its architects to create an
environmentally friendly facility. “Th is
LEED Gold certifi cation recognizes
our eff orts to create a healthy,
productive, state-of-the-art workplace
for our people, one that is less costly
to operate and maintain, and has a
reduced environmental footprint,” said
IHMC Director and CEO Ken Ford.
Th e event included remarks from
Ocala Mayor Randy Ewers; Brad
Stombock, director of Sustainable
Initiatives for the Florida Department
of Environmental Protection; and state
Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala. Florida
High Tech Corridor sponsored the
event, which drew over 100 attendees.
Human-Machine Trust
Workshop focuses on
autonomous systems IHMC recently welcomed over 40
invitees from federal agencies such as
the Offi ce of Naval Research, the Air
Force Research Laboratory, the Army
Research Laboratory and the Federal
Aviation Administration, as well as
from numerous top-tier universities,
to its Ocala research facility for a
workshop on identifying, discussing
and prioritizing basic research issues
regarding trust in the human-machine
partnership for next generation
autonomous systems.
Under sponsorship of the Air
Force Offi ce of Scientifi c Research,
IHMC’s David Atkinson organized the
workshop as an interdisciplinary event
bringing together experts in diverse
fi elds ranging from computer science to
cognitive science to psychology.
Presentations and discussions
focused on the premise that intelligent,
autonomous systems would be
invaluable in problem domains that
are not amenable to conventional
automation, or which humans fi nd
diffi cult, dangerous or too complex.
Such application domains involve
critical operations in defense, health
care and other industries where the
consequences of mistakes, errors or
failure to perform can be dire. In these
situations trust in intelligent machines,
and autonomy in general, is absolutely
required, and attendees focused on how
to better understand issues of trust and
measures of trustworthiness.
Th e workshop consensus was that
new interdisciplinary research in trust
and autonomy would contribute
substantially to the actual adoption
of intelligent machines capable of
autonomous behavior in tomorrow’s
human-machine environments.
HAPPENINGSNEWS OF IHMC
David Atkinson
left to right: State Rep. Dennis Baxley; Lawrence “Brad” Strombock, director of Sustainable
Initiatives Florida DEP; Ken Ford, IHMC CEO; Ocala Mayor Randy Ewers; and Randy
Berridge, president of the Florida High Tech Council.
Page 8
FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN & MACHINE COGNITION
■ ■ ■
IHMC hosts Research
Days with UF & USFIn an eff ort to increase collaboration
with our university colleagues,
IHMC hosted Research Days with
the University of Florida and the
University of South Florida. A diverse
array of researchers, including electrical
engineers, marine biologists, systems
engineers, mechanical engineers,
computer scientists, neuroscientists
and chemical engineers, participated
in breakout groups on robotics,
human-machine collaboration
and coordination, networks and
communications, multi-sensory
interfaces and cybersecurity.
In addition to the ability for
scientists and researchers at the
respective institutions to meet and
interact with colleagues in their fi elds,
both days resulted in the identifi cation
of a number of areas of common
research interests and the identifi cation
of potential funding opportunities.
Next steps for participants include
writing joint proposals for upcoming
research solicitations and continuing
dialogue on novel ideas in their
respective fi elds.
Collaboration across fi elds and
institutions is a hallmark of IHMC’s
research eff orts and provides a
multidisciplinary approach to many
research challenges. Working with
peers in other institutions allows
IHMC scientists and engineers to
leverage their strengths to support
research across a wide spectrum.
HAPPENINGSNEWS OF IHMC
NEW ARRIVALS
Micah Clark Dr. Micah Clark joins IHMC as a new
research scientist. His research interests include
adversary modeling, autonomy and human-
machine cooperation, among other things.
He previously was with the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory where he worked on intelligent
systems R&D, fulfi lling the complementary roles
of AI technologist and software systems engineer.
He was a member of multiple NASA missions
operations teams, including EPOXI and Deep
Impact, as well as serving as a software systems
engineer for the Constellation Project. He
received his Ph.D. in Cognitive Science and his
B.S. in Computer Science and Philosophy, both
from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Chua Wei “Kenny” Liang Kenny is a visiting research scientist working
with IHMC researchers on a variety of human-
machine interface technologies. He is a
researcher with DSO National Laboratories of
Singapore and has worked on several projects in
the domains of multi-modality crew console and
human-machine interface design for HRI.
Ann SpangMs. Ann Spang is IHMC’s new assistant
director for community relations and will
be based in the Ocala offi ce. She will be
responsible for facilities issues, public relations,
tracking and coordinating sponsors, and
running events, such as conferences, lectures
and science outreach.
She was formerly the vice president for
corporate relations at Ocala/Marion County
Economic Development Corporation.
Ursula Schwuttke Dr. Ursula Schwuttke is the program devel-
opment director for educational outreach in
Ocala. Before IHMC, she was vice president of
business development for Highest Wind, LLC,
a start-up wind energy company focused on
developing renewable energy technology. At
Highest Wind, Dr. Schwuttke was responsible
for pursuing venture capital and government
grants, for developing research partnerships,
and for establishing strategic relationships. She
also founded and launched Partners in Algebra,
dedicated to the success of socio-economically
disadvantaged community college students
who struggle with basic math and writing.
Page 9
FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN & MACHINE COGNITION
■ ■ ■
STEMfl orida cites IHMC
lecture series as “Best
Practice”STEMfl orida has cited IHMC’s
adult evening lecture series as a
2011 Best Practice. Th e best practices
were selected from around Florida,
exemplifying programs that encourage
participation in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics.
Winners, representing diverse programs
operated by organizations across the
state, were honored at a think tank
hosted by STEMfl orida. IHMC’s
award was for the Best STEM-enabled
Lecture Series throughout the year.
STEMfl orida is a not-for-profi t
aimed at ensuring leadership for
science, technology, engineering and
mathematics by connecting relevant
education and talent development
programs, philanthropic stewardship
and economic and community
development.
IHMC Ocala corrals
“Broken Beauty”IHMC Ocala’s front lawn was the
home of “Broken Beauty,” a horse
statue by artist Stephanie Giera.
Th e statue is part of Horse Fever II,
an eff ort by the Marion Cultural
Alliance to provide public art as well
as raise funds. Th e horse, in front of
IHMC, was sponsored by Renstar
Medical Research. Giera decorated the
statue with broken pieces of jewelry
donated by members of the Marion
county community, symbolizing
beauty from brokenness. Th e statue
was auctioned in a fundraiser for the
Marion Cultural Alliance.
USF-IHMC sign formal affi liation agreement to cooperate on research
IHMC is continuing to leverage its
talents by partnering with universities
across Florida, throughout the United
States, and around the world. To
strengthen their relationship, IHMC
and the University of South Florida
signed an affi liation agreement to
cooperate on research initiatives of
common interest. USF and IHMC
personnel will work jointly in many
fi elds, including cybersecurity,
human-machine collaboration and
coordination, multisensory interfaces
and natural language processing.
HAPPENINGSNEWS OF IHMC
Broken Beauty outside IHMC Ocala.
IHMC CEO Ken Ford and Rick Baker, USF vice president of public policy
and innovation partnerships, sign USF-IHMC affi liation agreement.
Page 10
FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN & MACHINE COGNITION
■ ■ ■
Science Saturdays
begins in Ocala, and
continues in PensacolaScience Saturdays, IHMC’s fl agship
science education program, began its fi rst
year at IHMC Ocala. Science Saturdays
is a hands-on science program for kids
in grades three through fi ve. Activities,
led by IHMC researchers, focus each
month on a diff erent scientifi c concept.
A generous gift by Ron and Phyllis Ewers
provided the funding to kick off the
program in Ocala. Th e fi rst sessions were
track their movements. Researchers also
presented videos and allowed visitors
up-close looks at other robots and
prototypes, including a biped, exoskeleton
and FastRunner.
Over 200 visitors, including almost
100 children, attended the event, getting
a chance to meet the researchers and get
a fi rst-hand look at scientifi c research.
Th e event was held in conjunction with
National Robotics Week, a nationwide
celebration of robotics to educate the
public about research and inspire learners
of all ages to pursue careers in science,
math and engineering. science, math,
and engineering.
HAPPENINGSNEWS OF IHMC
fi lled, and the enthusiasm level was high.
While the programs in each location
will share many resources, each activity
is led by researchers who put their
own personal stamp on it. In April,
Yorick Wilks, who specializes in natural
language processing, led an activity on
Talking Computers. Other activities have
included topics on fl ight, electronics,
balloon rockets, pendulums and gravity.
Science Saturdays in Pensacola
continues to be well attended into its
ninth year. Th is past year we had the
perennial favorite—chemistry day—
led by the local section of the American
Chemical Society. In addition, students
explored fl ight using wind tubes, and
roller coasters using a marble wall. Word
continues to spread, and the new lottery
system has broadened participation. Each
month over 100 students apply for one of
the 50 available slots.
IHMC holds robotics
open houseResearchers at IHMC Pensacola shared
ongoing robotics research with the public
during the second annual robotics open
house. Visitors saw demonstrations of
quadcopters, with some getting a chance
to wear a hat that enabled the copter to
March Science Saturday in Ocala
Robotics Open House
Robotics Open House
Page 11
FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN & MACHINE COGNITION
■ ■ ■
IHMC gets 2012 Overall
Industry Partner Career
Academy AwardIHMC Pensacola has been recognized
once again for its contributions in the
area of robotics. Th e EscaRosa Next
Generation Learning Community Career
Academy presented IHMC with its
“Overall Industry Partner” award at the
3rd Annual Career Academy Awards
Luncheon on April 11, 2012. Th e Career
Academy Awards Ceremony recognizes
outstanding business partners who
support the career academies within the
Escambia and Santa Rosa county school
districts. Teachers and students from
the two districts who excel within their
career academy also participated in the
ceremony.
IHMC was highlighted for its work
with West Florida High School Advanced
Career Experience (ACE) program,
which allows high school students to
work in their chosen technical industry
to gain real-world, hands-on experience.
Th e awards ceremony included
remarks by Escambia County School
Superintendent Malcolm Th omas and
Santa Rosa County Superintendent Tim
Wyrosdick, as well as Scott Luth, senior
vice president for economic development
at the Greater Pensacola Chamber.
HAPPENINGSNEWS OF IHMC
Knowledge Systems
Conference goes
internationalIHMC recently hosted the seventh
international Knowledge Systems for
Coalition Operations conference. It
brought together practitioners and key
decision-makers in coalition operations
to discuss research in areas of knowledge-
based systems, planning and multi-agent
systems. Participants included one French
and two U.S. generals, as well as attendees
from England and Canada.
Coalition operations are a burgeoning
area, as the military and cross-
organization alliances increase their
participation in cooperative endeavors
and join forces together for a common
cause. An example of a coalition eff ort
this conference considered is developing
tools to help agribusiness development
in Afghanistan, and particularly ways to
achieve collaborations between military,
nongovernmental organizations, state and
local governments.
Th e conference was sponsored
by IHMC and the California State
University, San Bernardino, Integrated
Information Technology Policy Analysis
project. Papers from this conference will
be published as a special issue of IEEE
Intelligent Systems.
Ford speaks to
Leadership Florida IHMC CEO Ken Ford spoke on
“People, Places, and Innovation” at
the Leadership Florida annual meeting
on June 11, 2011. Leadership Florida,
a program of the Florida Chamber
of Commerce, provides participants
from across the state insight into the
conditions and challenges facing Florida.
Th e annual meeting is open to all who
have participated in the eight-month
Leadership Florida program.
IHMC is Marion County
“Innovator of the Year”In early March, the Appleton Museum
of Art provided the perfect backdrop for
the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of
Commerce’s 124th Annual Meeting and
“Stars Over Ocala” Business Recognition
Awards Ceremony, where IHMC was
recognized as recipient of the “Innovator
of the Year” award.
With over 200 business and
community leaders in attendance, the
chamber’s top brass presented highlights
of their 2011 accomplishments. Th e
highly anticipated awards ceremony
took center stage later in the evening
as 17 individuals and businesses were
recognized for their contributions to the
Ocala/Marion County community. Th e
categories included Business of the Year,
Business Person of the Year, Innovator of
the Year and many more.
Th e Innovator of the Year award is
presented to an organization that has
successfully brought a unique product
or service to Marion County that
made important contributions to the
community and economic development.
IHMC was among three nominees in
this prestigious category. Dr. John “Row”
Rogacki, associate director, and Ann
Spang, assistant director for Community
Relations, proudly accepted for IHMC.
Page 12
FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN & MACHINE COGNITION
■ ■ ■
Charlie Kennel NASA is reaching a crossroads with the end of the space shuttle era. Charles Kennel examined the
goals and technical requirements of human exploration beyond low earth orbit after 2020 during his
lecture, “NASA at mid-life: Th e future of human space exploration.” Th e principal question is whether
human space exploration can be sustained over the long periods of time required, and if so, what will
it take. Th e possible answers have technological, social, economic and political dimensions. Kennel is
a distinguished professor emeritus of atmospheric sciences at Scripps, senior strategist for the UCSD
Sustainability Solutions Institute, and co-leads the University of Cambridge/UCSD Global Water
Initiative. He is also a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of
Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society and the International Academy of Astronautics.
Lars PerkinsTh e ever-growing complexity and pervasiveness of computers sometimes presents challenges for
people to perform even routine tasks, especially when the device interface is not intuitive. Lars Perkins
described how new devices should be designed to avoid such challenges during his lecture, “Honey Can
You Help Me Turn on the TV? Why today’s products make us feel stupid.” Designers must respect their
customers’ time and perspective. In addition, they should consider creating a holistic user experience
which includes the device, customer support, and ultimately the brand and identity of the manufacturer
itself. Perkins is a consultant in the computer software industry. He previously worked as director of
project management for Google, where he directed Picasa. He is a member of the NASA Advisory
Council and serves as chair of the Education and Public Outreach Committee.
Margaret LeinenTh e oceans have changed dramatically since Earth was formed four billion years ago. It has been hot
enough to sustain crocodiles in the Arctic, and cold enough to be covered in ice. During her lecture,
“Our Changing Oceans,” Margaret Leinen explained the changes being documented today and why
they worry scientists. In particular, sustaining the variety of life that we see today relies on oceans
and climate remaining similar to what we have now. Additionally, changes are happening much more
rapidly than in the past, leaving less time for adaptation. Leinen is the associate provost for marine and
environmental initiatives at Florida Atlantic University and executive director of the Harbor Branch
Oceanographic Institute. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
and the Geological Society of America.
Kenneth N. RaymondIron is essential for many critical functions in the human body, including oxygen transport.
During his lecture, “Th e Human/Bacterial Arms Race for Iron,” Kenneth Raymond presented a
general discussion of iron metabolism in humans and some diseases that result from disruption of iron
transport. Raymond is a UC Berkeley chancellor’s professor, director of the Glenn T. Seaborg Center
at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the president and chairman of Lumipore. His research
focuses on metals in biology and physical inorganic chemistry. Th is lecture was part of the William D.
Smart Seminar Series in Chemistry sponsored by the University of West Florida.
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Wes HuntressAre we alone in the universe? Th at fundamental question has haunted man from the beginning.
Searching for life elsewhere has been a driver for NASA’s exploration of the solar system. Dr. Wes
Huntress examined some of the missions and what they have found during his lecture, “Roving the
Solar System: Looking for Signs of Life.” Huntress is chair of NASA’s Science Advisory Committee
and director emeritus at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, a
privately endowed scientifi c research institution. Prior to this work he led NASA eff orts to explore the
solar system. He remains a spokesman and strategist for the scientifi c exploration of space.
Mayor Rick BakerRick Baker, former mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, described his experience as mayor in his lecture,
“Building Seamless Cities.” He explained how the job of mayor has three main elements: dealing with
the day-to-day business of the city, addressing crises, and advancing a vision for the city. His strategic
plan—Making St. Petersburg Best—led the city through an historic renaissance period. Baker was fi rst
elected mayor in 2001 to lead Florida’s fourth-largest city and re-elected in November 2005 with over
70% of the vote. He was term-limited out of offi ce in 2009. In 2008, Mayor Baker was named as the
2008 United States Mayor/Public Offi cial of the year by Governing Magazine, and in 2011 Newsweek Magazine/Th e Daily Beast labeled him “America’s greatest mayor of the decade.”
Dan BrittClimate change has become a major political issue. But few people really understand how climate
has changed in the past, or the forces that drive those changes. Dr. Dan Britt detailed the history of
climate change and how that knowledge can help us as we consider the ongoing challenges during his
lecture, “Orbits and Ice Ages: Th e History of Climate.” Britt is a professor of astronomy and planetary
sciences at the Department of Physics, University of Central Florida. His research centers on the
physical properties and mineralogy of asteroids, comets, the Moon and Mars, under several NASA
grants. His eclectic career includes service as an Air Force ICBM launch offi cer and as an economist
for Boeing.
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Ted McPhersonUnderstanding the traits that make leaders successful can provide insights to assist everyone in
reaching their potential. Ted McPherson, an entrepreneur and management consultant, explained
the role of character and its foundational role in producing breakthrough results during his lecture,
“Character and Results: Th e Value of Soul and Unreasonableness.” McPherson serves as a leader and
strategic advisor to Fortune 100 companies, Forbes 400 entrepreneurs and major investors. He is CEO
of InterSolve Group and has served on the NASA Advisory Council. His varied professional career
includes service with the Navy, the Defense Intelligence Agency and presidential appointments as an
undersecretary with the U.S. Department of Education and CFO of the Department of Agriculture.
Kip Hodges Future exploration of the moon and planets will likely involve both human and robotic explorers.
During his lecture, “A New Era of Human and Robotic Planetary Field Geology,” Kip Hodges
discussed his ongoing studies of how explorers might best work with robotic assistance, and how
wearable computers and other advances might permit greater autonomy and situational awareness.
Dr. Hodges, with a solid grounding in the geological evolution of Earth’s mountain ranges, is turning
his terrestrial gaze skyward as the founding director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration at
Arizona State University. He is assisting NASA in the development and implementation of a new fi eld-
geology training program for its astronauts, and developing new ways to determine the age of meteorite
impacts on the Earth and Moon.
Braden R. Allenby Technology, whether in the form of railroads, electricity or other game changers of the past, has
frequently and dramatically changed human, natural and built systems at a regional and global scale.
Today, however, we are experiencing rapid evolution in fi ve foundational technologies: nanotechnology,
biotechnology, information and communication technology, robotics, and applied cognitive science.
Braden Allenby said these changes will result in a future that is unpredictable and dependent on the
new technologies during his lecture, “You Want the Future? You Can’t Handle the Future!” Dr. Allenby,
with degrees from Yale, the University of Virginia and Rutgers, is the Lincoln Professor of Engineering
and Ethics, professor of civil and environmental engineering, and of law, at Arizona State University.
Tom MurphyFaced with the collapse of its steel industry, Pittsburgh was forced to rebuild as a city to meet the
new economic realities, and other cities can learn from the experience. Successful cities of the future
must adapt to modern forces such as climate change, technological innovation, and demographic shifts.
During his lecture, “Building on Innovation,” Tom Murphy described the transformation of Pittsburgh
under his leadership as mayor in meeting these challenges. Murphy is a senior resident fellow of the
Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Klingbeil Family Chair for urban development. He specializes in
public policy, urban entertainment, transportation, housing, real estate fi nance and environmental issues.
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Jon MillsWhether we know it or not, multiple times a day we give up our privacy, whether by posting
on Facebook, driving through a tollbooth or using a store discount card. Th is growing ability to
electronically “track” us, however, increases the likelihood of abuse: the invasion of privacy. Jon Mills
discussed the need to clarify the rules, such as setting limits on warrantless wiretapping or creating
guidelines for the disclosure of autopsy photos, during his lecture, “Living in Glass Houses—Th e Loss
of Individual Privacy in Today’s World.” Mills is dean emeritus and professor of Law at the University
of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law and Counsel to Boies, Schiller and Flexner L.L.P. He is a
former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
Tom JonesAs detection technologies and search eff orts improve, the world is learning about more asteroids
and comets whose orbits approach or cross Earth’s. Tom Jones highlighted the dangers of these objects
and challenges to responding to the danger, both technologically and politically, during his lecture,
“Getting to Know the Asteroid in Your Future: Risks and Opportunities from Near-Earth Objects.”
While defl ection technologies are improving, political agreements to enable international response
are lagging behind. Jones is a veteran NASA astronaut, speaker, author and consultant. He holds a
doctorate in planetary sciences and fl ew on four space shuttle missions. Dr. Jones, a graduate of the U.S.
Air Force Academy, is a senior research scientist at IHMC.
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